COMPETITORS in the Wilts Angling open match enjoyed excellent sport at Rood Ashton on Sunday.

Pete Neate, of Holt, won with an all-carp catch weighing 110lb 15oz, taking his catch on pole-fished pellets on a 14 hook.

Dean Adams was second with a carp catch of 97lb 10oz, also taken on pole-fished pellets on a 14 hook. He was followed by Dave Bancroft, of Trowbridge, with a carp catch of 88lb 8oz, taken alternating with pole-fished catmeat and pellets.

Other placings: 4 Ian Willetts, Bradford, 70lb 12oz; 5 Howard Carpenter, Trowbridge, 63lb 6oz; 6 Terry Gatty, Melksham, 58lb 5oz.

Competitors in the Ivy House Wednesday open match enjoyed some good sport.

John Bailey, of Ivy House, won with a mixed catch of carp and silver fish weighing 53lb 6oz, taken on pole-fished pellets on a 14 hook.

In-form Gary Etheridge, of Devizes, again made the prize list in second with a mixed bag of carp and silvers weighing 45lb 12oz, taken on pole-fished sweetcorn. He was followed by Steve Collins, of Ivy House, with a mixed bag of 45lb 7oz.

The Saturday open match at Ivy House produced a good finish. Elick Payne, of Chippenham, secured another good victory with a mixed catch of carp and silvers weighing 29lb 8oz, taken on pole-fished sweetcorn and red maggots.

Runner-up was Richard Baston, of Swindon AC, with a mixed net weighing 26lb 8oz, taken on pole-fished pellets. He was followed by Pete Connor, of Ivy House, with a mixed catch of 19lb 12oz.

Fishermen have enjoyed improving sport on the Bristol Water trout fisheries.

At Chew boat anglers had a much better week while bank anglers are still enjoying excellent sport. Fish have followed daphnia and flies blown by the wind.

At times the residual fish from last season have been found feeding heavily and some superb bags of fish have been taken. These fish are often very lean but full finned and fighting fit with many over four and five pounds.

The favourite area for these fish has been Moreton Bank and Stratford while Herons Green, Villice and Nunnery have been producing good catches of this year's stock. Top fish was a 5lb plus brownie caught on a dry fly by Martin Cottis who sportingly returned the fish to the water.

At last Blagdon is starting to fish more consistently, especially from the shore.

In Butcombe most boats are fishing to anchor with nymphs fished on sinking lines but Polish Water and Home Bay are worth a try. John Nadin took a 5lb 6oz brownie on a dry fly from a boat and Mervyn Haskins took one of 4lb 9oz on a red buzzer.

The fish at the Barrows seem to be feeding best. Most fish are taken on nymphs but there have been some quite good rises on the better evenings and very small dries are well worth a try.

Good sport has also continued on the Wessex Water fisheries. Clatworthy produced a catch of 488 fish last week with fish caught mainly from the bank at Westcott and Rowes Farm end of the lake. Montana and Damsel Nymphs are working well fished on intermediate lines and pulled quite fast. At Hawkridge 171 fish were recorded.

Sutton Bingham is still giving great sport with 541 fish last week. Top fish of the week was a 5lb 12oz brownie.

Future events: May 7, Bathampton 24 hour carp match at Hunstrete Lake; May 8, Avon open match K and A Canal Semington; Kingswood and Hanham BL match at Viaduct Fishery; May 12, Bathampton over 55s and disabled match at Bridge Pool.